Window structures



Oct. 4, 1960 Filed June 10, 1952 T'FJI J" E. DYNNER WINDOW STRUCTURES 4Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. [age/7e Dyfl/n r.

Oct. 4, 1960 E. DYNNER 2,954,590

WINDOW STRUCTURES Filed June 10, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 *FFETQEJ-INVENTOR. Z/ a/76 Dynmen BY Oct. 4, 1960 E. DYNNER WINDOW STRUCTURES 4Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 10, 1952 IN V EN TOR. [076/76 Pym/rem Oct. 4,1960 E. DYNNER wmnow STRUCTURES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 10, 1952 2I'll!!! IllllIl/l v WINDOW STRUCTURES Eugene Dynner', Youngstown, Ohio(1520 Ancona Ave., Coral Gables, Fla.)

Filed June 10, 1952, Ser. No. 292,671 11 Claims. (01.20-62) Thisinvention relates to window structures particularly of the Venetian orjalousie type, to structures utilizable for closures of the stated typeas well as for other types of closures, and elements and operatingmechanism particularly useful in the production of such windows or otherclosures.

The prior art exhibits a large number of different types of windowstructures including Venetian or jalousie type windows or similarclosures. Many of the prior art structures require the use of rathercomplicated mechanism and such mechanism is usually exposed to the olemerits where it is subject to weathering, accumulation of dirt, andexposed mechanism which interferes with aesthetic appeal. Further thestructures of the prior art are of such character, that it has beendifficult to weatherproof the windows against air currents and toproduce non-rattling vanes etc.

Among the objects of the present invention is the production ofrelatively simple but effective closures of the Venetian or jalousiewindow type that are economical to build, to install, and to maintain.

Other features include simple but positive acting mechanism concealed toprotect such mechanism against weathering, dirt accumulation, andstructures which do not interfere with aesthetic appeal.

Further objects include such closures capable of utilization as a unitwhich may be installed or removed as unitary structures.

Still further objects include vanes of particular character of materialand structure particularly useful for production of closures of thistype.

Still further objects and advantages of the present invention willappear from the more detailed description set forth below, it beingunderstood that such more detailed description is given by way ofillustration and explanation only, and not by way of limitation, sincevarious changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In connection with that more detailed description there is shown in theaccompanying drawings, in

Figure l a perspective view, with some parts broken away illustratingthe present invention; in

Figure 2, a transverse section on line 2-2 of Figure l; in

Figure 3, a transverse section of operating mechanism on the line 33 ofFigure l; in

Figure 4, a longitudinal section on line 44 of Figure l; in

Figure 5, a perspective view of one type of operating rack that may beemployed in the mechanism; in

Figure 6, a transverse section through one form of vane; in

Figure 7, a transverse section through another type of vane; in i iFigure 8, a fragmentary detail of the end of a vane; in

Figure 9, a fragmentary detail of a modification of operating apparatus;and in Z3545? Patented Get. 4, 11960 Figure 10, a fragmentary detail ofcertain portions of the apparatus of Figure 9.

In accordance with the present invention, closures for openings inbuilding walls such as windows or doors, are provided so that they aresimple in character, economical to install, and present operating andmaintenance advantages not heretofore obtainable in structures of thischaracter.

The invention is particularly useful in connection with Venetian orjalousie type windows and such structures will be utilized to illustratethe present invention although as indicated, the invention is capable ofuse in other structures as for example door closures of this generaltype. A particularly useful feature of the present invention includes aunitary structure whereby the entire closure such as Venetian window orjalousie including all operating mechanism forms a unit that may beinserted within the window or other opening in the wall of a building.Such structures may be made to standard sizes for utilization in thisway. Des'irably a base frame is provided in the window or other openingwithin which the separable operator frame unit carrying all of thewindow structure and mechanism, may be inserted and attached to suchbase frame. Many advantages attach to structures utilized in this way.As indicated above, they may be of standard sizes and utilized wheredesired. They are easily removed to permit repairs if necessary.Installation is simple and other operating and maintenance advantagesappear. In addition by utilizing a base frame which remains in thewindow opening, and a removable unit including all of the windowstructure and operating mechanism therefor, the base frame and operatorframe unit may be adapted to fit together to form a channel be tween thebase frame and the separable operator frame unit which channel liesbetween and is enclosed by the corresponding portions of the saidframes. Such channel enables the window operating mechanism carried onthe operator frame to be protected from the weather and from dust andother material coming in contact therewith. Such concealment not onlyprotects the operating mechanism, but it gives a pronounced aestheticimprovement to structures of this character, and also concealment inthis way enables effective weather-proofing to be obtained.

Other features to which general references may be made in connectionwith the present invention include novel operating elements ofsimplified character as well as new structures for melting the louversin position to efiect tight closures which obtain a weather-proofedstructure while at the same time enabling the vanes to be readilyoperated and retained in open position against rattling or otherundesired effects. Included also and particularly mentioned in thisconnection are vanes for utilization in structures of this type producedfrom glass fiber reinforced polyester plastics that given uniquefeatures to structures employing such material. The louvers may be madeWith V or U edges which on contact serve to give tight, weather-proofedstructures, particularly when produced from plastic and morespecifically glass fiber reinforced polyester plastic materials. Theutilization of the latter type of plastic enables any desired structuresto be readily produced which retain their shape enabling the tight fitand weather-proofing to be retained over long periods of time. Thesematerials will not warp and always remain in proper position foreffective weather-proofing at adjacent and interlocked edges. They areshatter-proof and make the safest possible window eliminating frequentaccidental breakage of glass louvers or breakage by storms. A highdegree of light transmission even with translucent materials affords acombination of maximum light with maximum privacy. Such materialsalsoare heat insulating in character due to the fiber glassreinforcement, filtering out heat from sun light in summer and alsoinsulating against cold when louvers are in closed position. Structuresof this character thus produce a combination of features of window,awning, and Venetian blind all in the one..

Referring more particularly to the illustrative drawings in Figure 1 thebase frame 1 is shown partly cut away as illustrated at 2 to expose someof the operating structure. The base frame it is positioned in thewindow or other wall opening for reception of the operator frame unit.Such base frame may include jambs 3, sill portion 4 and head portion 5.The base frame may be made of any desired material such as wood, steel,etc.

The operator frame unit is generally indicated at 6 and carries all ofthe window structure per se and operating mechanism therefore as aunitary structure. Such operator frame unit may carry vanes 7 pivotallymounted as at 8 in the jamb portions 9 of the operator frame. Theoperator frame unit is adapted to fit within the base frame 1 to form achannel 10 between and enclosed by corresponding portions of said framesin which channel It) the window operating mechanism may be carried. Forthis purpose the operator frame may be formed with side members 11 ofchannel shaped cross section, the outside edges 12, 12 interlocking Withprojection 13, carried on the jamb portions 3 of the base frame 1 andsecured together in any desired way. A structure of this characterenables the operator frame unit to be installed or removed from the baseframe unit as desired for any of the purposes set forth above, whilestill producing a structure in which all operating mechanism issubstantially concealed and protected, weather-proofing also beingobtained.

The jamb portion 9 of the operator frame is desirably provided with arecess 15 extending desirably for the entire height of the jamb member9. Such recess 15 is adapted to receive a flattened spring member 14interposed between the end of each vane 7 and the adjacent portion ofthe jamb 9 of the operator frame. The spring member 14 has a centrallydisposed depression 16 for reception of the end of the vane 7 when thelatter is in closed position thereby to weather-proof the closure, thewalls 17 which define the depression 16, are adapted t engage yieldinglyagainst the ends of each of the louvers when the latter are in openposition. Such spring members exert a constant horizontal tension uponthe louvers, balancing them and preventing rattling either because ofstrong winds or vibration transmitted to the structure. In order tocomplete the weather-proofing of the structure, it is desirable also toplace an elongated flattened spring member similar to that of the Springmember 15 between the top of the upper-most louver and the head portionof the operator frame and another flattened spring member between thebottom of the lowermost louver and the sill portion of the operatorframe, the elongated flattened spring members also having centrallydisposed longitudinal depression for reception of the adjacent portionof the louvers in contact therewith when in closed position thus tocomplete the weather-proofing of the closure.

While any type of operating structure may be employed, a particularlysimple and economical structure is shown in the drawings. As illustratedthere, the pivot 8 on which each louver is mounted, extends through thejamb Q of the operator frame into the channel between the frame unitsand carries a gear sector 20 within said channel 10 between the frames.It is of course only necessary to have the pivots 8 extend into thechannels for such gear sectors'on one side only of the operator frameunit. The gear sector is of course keyed to the pivot 8 so that movementof the gear sector will operate the vane 7 joined thereto.

For operating the various gear members an elongated rack 21 desirablyU-shaped in cross section is provided within channel it and adapted tomove vertically within the channel. Therrack 21 is provided with aseries of the operating pivot.

perforations 22 running substantially over the length of the rack on oneof its walls which series of perforations are adapted to mesh with thegear members 20 on pivots 8, so that all of the gear members may beoperated simultaneously by reciprocating movement of the rack 21. Toproduce such reciprocating movement of the rack 21, a handle 23 carriedon shaft 24 is provided, the shaft ex tending externally from theoperator frame structure through an opening 25 inwardly into and throughthe channel 10 pivotally mounted on the opposite side member 11 of theoperator frame as at 26. The shaft 24 carries a gear 26. One of thewalls of the U-shaped rack is provided with-a series of perforations 27near the bottom thereof adapted to mesh with the gear 26 on shaft 24 anda slot 28 is provided in the base of the U-shaped rack 21 so that asmovement of gear 26 meshing with perforations 27 raises or lowers therack 21 the shaft 24 may ride within the slot 28.

An alternative rack operating mechanism is shown in Figures 9 and 10.For this purpose the operating handle 29 extends through the operatorframe structure on which it may be pivoted as indicated at 30, extendinginwardly into the channel 10. A link member 31 is pivotally connected tothe inner end of the handle 29 as indicated at 32, the other end of thelink member 31 being attached to the elongated rack 21. An opening orslot 33 may be provided in the rack 21 through which the link member 31may pass to be pivotally attached as shown at 34 on rod 35 mountedwithin the channel of the U-shaped rack 21. In order to maintain thehandle and associated mechanism in any set position, means may beprovided to retain the handle 29 in set position. For this purpose aratchet 35 may be mounted on the frame to engage a spring pressed finger36 carried on the handle, the finger 36 being spring pressed outwardlyby the spring 37 within the handle.

The structures described above may be utilized with any type louversdesired and such louvers may be made of any material such as wood,metal, plastic. However glass fiber reinforced polyester plastic louversare particularly useful enabling a more weather tight closure to beobtained than is possible with rigid material such as glass, metal, orwood. Such louvers will not warp or become distorted under the heat ofthe sun, therefore always remain in proper position for effectiveweatherproofing at adjacent and interlocked edges, are shatterproof forsafety, eliminate frequent accidental breakage, and secure many of theother advantages referred to above. Furthermore they may be readilyformed or molded to any desired shape and particularly may be producedof V- or U-shaped longitudinal edges which are adapted to interlock toproduce a tight closure. The U-shaped longitudinal edges are indicatedat 38 in Figure 6 while the V-shaped longitudinal edges are indicated at39 in Figure 7. The indicated shapes are of course at the cross sectionof the material at such point. The U-shaped in cross section,longitudinal edge 38 may really be looked upon as a rounded V-shapedcross section as shown at 39. Where the louvers are used forinterlocking contact on each edge, then the U-shaped or V-shapedstructure may be employed along each longitudinal edge. Where thelouvers are used at the extreme top or bottom of the structures, then ofcourse the U-shaped or V-shaped edge may be provided along one edge ofthe louver. Further, as shown in Figure 8, the vane or louver 7 may haveits end shaped as by cutting or other operation to provide a smooth,uniform surface for contact with the flattened spring members interposedbetween the ends of the louvers and the operator frame structure. Whereno clip is employed, the louver may carry a slotted stud or a slot inthe end of This is particularly of use with thin louvers such as thosemade of plastic or of metal because 1 the louver material may snap intothe weatherstrip tension spring member andthe projecting fastener can berecessed in the frame. Where a clip is employed, the louver end may becut as indicated in Figure 8 so that a clip when positioned will be heldin place in the recess 40 in the end of the louver as shown in Figure 8and thus prevent a smooth surface for contact with the flattened springmember.

The operation of the structures will be readily understood. It will beapparent that the operation of either of the handle members in Figures 1and 9 will move the rack to operate the several gears carried by thepivots on the vanes or louvers so that they may be positioned in any waydesired and to give closures which are tight and remain so. The assemblyof the structures will be readily understood from what has been setforth above and very economical but effective structures are produced inthis way.

Having thus set forth my invention, 1 claim:

1. In a Venetian or jalousie window, a base frame unit including a jambmember on each side of the frame unit, the unit being adapted to beattached within an opening of a building wall, a separable operatorframe unit retractible in said base unit and having a centrally disposeddepression, said frame unit being adapted to fit within said base frameto form a channel concealed between and enclosed by said jambs andcorresponding portions of said operator frame unit, said centrallydisposed depression being adapted to receive the end of a louver when inclosed position, and window operating mechanism carried on said operatorframe and extending into said channel, whereby the operating mechanismis concealed within said channel between said frame units.

2. A structure as in claim 1 including louvers pivotally mounted on saidoperator frame, louver pivoting mechanism carried on said louvers andextending within and concealed by said channel, the pivoting mechanismbeing operatively connected to said operating mechanism whereby alloperating mechanism is concealed within said channel between the framesbut is insertable and removable with the operator frame and louvers as aunitary structure.

3. A structure as in claim 2 in which a flattened spring member isinterposed between the end of each louver and the adjacent portion ofthe operator frame, each spring member having a centrally disposeddepression extending longitudinally thereof for reception of the end ofthe louver when in closed position, to weatherproof the closure, thewalls forming said depression yieldingly engaging against the ends ofeach of the louvers when the latter are in open position, to preventrattling.

4. A structure as in claim 3 in which an elongated flattened springmember is interposed between the top of the uppermost louver and thehead portion of the operator frame, and between the bottom of thelowermost louver and the sill portion of the operator frame, each springmember having a centrally disposed longitudinal depression for receptionof the adjacent portions of the louvers in contact therewith when inclosed position to weatherproof the closure.

5. In a Venetian or jalousie window, a frame member, a louver pivotallymounted on said frame member, a flattened spring member interposedbetween each end of the louver and the adjacent portion of the framemember, each spring member having walls defining a centrally disposeddepression for reception of the end of the louver adjacent thereto whenin closed position to weatherproof the closure, the Walls of springmember forming the depression yieldingly engaging against the ends ofthe louver when the latter is in open position,

to prevent rattling.

6. A structure as in claim 1, the operating mechanism including anelongated rack of U-shaped cross section movable vertically within saidchannel.

7. A structure as in claim 1 including, louvers pivotally mounted onsaid operator frame the pivots on one side of the louvers extendingthrough said operator frame into the channel between the frame units, agear member on each of said extending pivot members all within saidchannel, an elongated rack of U-shaped cross section movable verticallywithin said channel, said rack having a series of perforations thereinmeshing with each gear adjacent thereto whereby movement of the rackwill pivot the louvers.

8. A structure as in claim 7 in which the operating mechanism includesan operating handle on the outside of the structure extending throughthe frames to within the channel and a gear within the channel on theinner end of said handle, the rack including a series of perforationsmeshing with said handle operated gear.

9. A structure as in claim 7 in which a flattened spring member isinterposed between the end of each louver and the adjacent portion ofthe operator frame, each spring member having a centrally disposeddepression for reception of the end of the louver when in closedposition to weatherproof the closure, the walls forming said depressionyieldingly engaging against the end of each of the louvers when thelatter are in open position, to prevent rattling.

10. A structure as in claim 1 the operating mechanism including anelongated rack of U-shaped cross section movable vertically within saidchannel, an operating handle on the outside of the structure andextending through the frames to within the channel, the handle beingpivoted on the operator frame member, a link member connecting the innerend of the handle with the rack, and a spring pressed locking elementcarried on the handle for holding the handle in any set position.

11. A structure as in claim 10 including louvers pivotally mounted onsaid operator frame the pivots on one side of the louvers extendingthrough said operator frame into the channel between the frame units, agear member on each of said extending pivot members all within thechannel, the rack having a series of perforations meshing with each gearadjacent thereto whereby movement of the rack will pivot the louvers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS100,118 Clark Feb. 22, 1870 126,713 Kelly May 14, 1872 1,695,768 KellyDec. 18, 1928 1,830,487 Samberg Nov. 3, 1931 2,142,616 Otto Jan. 3, 19392,199,562 Grifiin May 7, 1940 2,228,439 Cerny Jan. 14, 1941 2,257,056Huff Sept. 23, 1941 2,510,122 Lomholt June 6, 1950 2,545,874 BrothersMar. 20, 1951 2,577,072 Cotner Dec. 4, 1951 2,583,230 Peters Ian. 22,1952 2,649,629 Baxter Aug. 26, 1953

